Sierra Falconer: A journey from Green Lake to the big screen
Growing up in the quiet, close-knit town of about 500 people in Interlochen, Michigan, (which is an unincorporated community bordering Green Lake and a part of Green Lake Township) Sierra Falconer’s conservative family life discouraged consumption of movies and TV, but simultaneously nurtured her vivid imagination, and a passion for writing stories.
Falconer receives her MFA in production/directing this year from the department of Film, Television & Digital Media and her work “Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake),” was recently named an honorable mention in the second-annual Class Artist competition sponsored by UCLA’s Chancellor’s Council on the Arts.
"Sunfish (& Other Stories)," is a deeply personal project that captures the essence of Falconer’s hometown. Through four interconnected short stories filmed over the course of one summer it paints a vivid portrait of small-town life. Each narrative offers a unique perspective, collectively encapsulating the town's spirit and the artist's memories of a unique place that not many people visit. Falconer now moves into the phase of shopping the film around to festivals and hopes it serves as a calling card.
“I was fascinated by the idea of a first film that was a portrait of where I come from, and introducing myself to the world as an artist through place,” she said. “Green Lake is so small and I just love the feel of a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. It's like a perfect bubble where nothing ever changes, nothing comes in and nothing comes out.”
Of course, Falconer herself ventured out, first to Wesleyan University in Connecticut to study film history and film studies as an undergraduate. Immersed in the academic world of film, she absorbed the wealth of cinema she missed growing up. However, the hands-on experience of filmmaking was still elusive.
Determined to bridge this gap, she applied to UCLA’s department of Film, Television & Digital Media for an MFA in production/directing. Moving to Los Angeles, a city where she knew no one, was a bold step. But, the diverse and dynamic atmosphere of L.A. and UCLA soon felt like home.
Reflecting on her time at UCLA, Falconer said she appreciated the forgiving environment where learning through mistakes was encouraged.
"Making movies is so vulnerable and expensive," she said. "Being surrounded by people who are generous with their time and not judgmental was crucial for my growth."
Falconer is working on expanding her portfolio, and just completed a script for a second feature film. If she could impart advice to UCLA’s graduating class of 2024, it would be to keep consuming and appreciating art.
“I think what I love most about movies is that they just bring people together,” she said. “It's a shared experience. And it's so interesting how everyone can look at the same piece of art and take something completely different from it. But still have a similar emotional experience guided by the artist.”
Story by Jessica Wolf
Posted 06.07.24
All images courtesy Sierra Falconer
